Koop: The Memoirs of America's Family Doctor - Softcover

C. Everett Koop

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0061042498 ISBN 13: 9780061042492

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1993

Synopsis

The former Surgeon General discusses his tenure in that job, describing his nonideological approach to health issues, how he tackled the tobacco lobbies, his speaking out about AIDS, and his personal life. Reprint.

About this title

From AudioFile:

In this autobiography, Koop relates his meteoric rise to Surgeon-General in the Reagan Administration, as well as the hypocrisy of the political powers who suppressed his positions on AIDS, abortion, smoking and other important health issues. Koop is his "own man," answering only to his inner voice and religious convictions. Although narrated by Christopher Hurt in a reedy, flat reading, the presentation is thoroughly believable, lending an authentic touch and feeling that it is "Koop." Though occasionally marred by background noise, the sound quality is good. R.H.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Kirkus Reviews:

``Keep your head down and your mouth shut'' was advice given to the would-be Surgeon General early in his Washington days; fortunately, the high-profile and controversial Koop chose otherwise, both in his career and in these lively memoirs. The ``health conscience of America'' is how Koop says he'd like to be remembered--and he is that and much more: an innovative pediatric surgeon whose skills have altered thousands of lives, a man of scientific integrity whose tenure as Surgeon General alternately delighted and confounded both the right and the left, a Bible-reading evangelical Christian with a mission, and a bloody but unbowed veteran of eight years of Washington bureaucracy. His account of his early years, though pleasant enough, is unremarkable, but his writing moves into high gear when he talks about his years as a pediatric surgeon and the painful and prolonged process of becoming confirmed as Surgeon General. Koop recounts his battles with the powerful tobacco industry; his efforts to prod the Reagan Administration to take action in the war on AIDS and his subsequent attacks from the religious right on this same issue; his stand on the Baby Doe case and the rights of handicapped children; and, as expected, his opposition to abortion. Koop concludes with brief essays on what he considers major health issues of the day, such as health insurance, preventive health care, problems of aging, nutrition and food safety, drugs and alcohol, and domestic violence: Clearly much remains on his agenda. Good stories and honest opinions from an American original, who, though now stripped of his colorful vice admiral's uniform, is not about to fade away. (Sixteen pages of b&w photographs--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0061042498
• ISBN 13: 9780061042492
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 445